Michelle Obama is due to arrive in the UK on Monday, accompanied by her mother and two teenage daughters, as part of her global campaign to promote girls’ education.
The US first lady has spearheaded an initiative called Let Girls Learn, which aims to break down the barriers to education that keep 62 million girls around the world out of school.
During her stay, she will visit Mulberry School for Girls, a comprehensive for pupils aged 11 to 18 in London’s East End that has built up a strong reputation for academic success in one of the UK’s most deprived boroughs.
Preparations at Mulberry were intense on the eve of the visit. The school’s headteacher, Dr Vanessa Ogden, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Michelle Obama to Mulberry School for Girls. The first lady is one of the greatest, most inspiring women of our time and her visit is an honour for us.
“Her use of her platform as first lady to drive change for girls and to break down barriers in access to education is critical for a civilised world. The moral imperative is clear and the business case supports it. This is the call to get behind her global campaign.”
Achieving success despite deprivation is a key part of Obama’s message. A statement from the school said: “Despite the fact that over three quarters of pupils are entitled to the pupil premium at Mulberry, the school has consistently proved that socio-economic disadvantage need not prevent students from achieving academic success and flourishing as individuals. We look forward to discussing our shared values during the first lady’s visit.”
This week’s visit to London follows a memorable and emotional visit in 2009 to Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School for girls in Islington, north London, when she told excited pupils: “Whether you come from a council estate or a country estate, your success will be determined by your own confidence and fortitude.
“We are counting on you, we are counting on every single one of you to be the best that you can be.”
She has since kept in touch with the school. On this occasion, she will host a roundtable at Mulberry on how the UK and the US are working together to expand access for adolescent girls completing their education.
She will also take questions from students alongside Julia Gillard, the former Australian prime minister. Gillard is the current chair of the Global Partnership for Education, and a strong advocate on international girls’ education. Obama’s daughters Sasha, 14, and Malia, 16, are not expected to take part in the visit to the school.
Later in the day, Obama will have a private meeting with Prince Harry at Kensington Palace, where they are expected to discuss their shared interest in building better support for military families.
They first met two years ago during a White House tea reception honouring military mothers. The prince was in the US on official business, including an event promoting the Halo Trust, an anti-landmine charity he supports.
A spokesperson for Kensington Palace said: “They are meeting due to their shared interested in the welfare of military families. Prince Harry was grateful for the welcome he received at the White House two years ago and is pleased to be able to host the first lady at Kensington Palace during her visit to London.”
Obama’s chief of staff, Tina Tchen, recalled the prince’s visit to the US: “He was wonderful and it was wonderful to have him here. And we hear from his staff that he is happy to return the favour.”
A Downing Street meeting with David and Samantha Cameron is also scheduled.
On Wednesday, Obama and her family will travel to Milan to lead the presidential delegation to the city’s Expo 2015, which is promoting global dialogue about the future of our food system. She will use the opportunity to encourage healthier eating for children.
